The homeless are shivering on the footpaths
The picture published in this paper yesterday of a mother and child sleeping on the street with no warm blankets or warm clothes to shield them from the winter cold says it all. People who do not have a roof over their heads have no option but to be at the mercy of the weather changes—be it rain or storm or the chilly winds of the winter. But why must we see such scenes that tell a story of extreme privation and neglect?
As a cold wave is predicted to set in by next week all over the country, we urge the government to take measures to alleviate people's suffering. In normal times both the government, non-government organisations and private citizens make efforts to distribute warm clothes and blankets. The pandemic seems to have delayed these efforts.
As temperatures are predicted to drop to 10 degrees and lower in many parts of Bangladesh, there is an urgent need to mobilise resources to buy and collect warm clothes and blankets and distribute them quickly to those in need. This applies to both the cities and villages where there are people who are so poor that they cannot afford to buy a warm blanket or clothes to protect them from the elements. Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable and can easily contract respiratory diseases. This includes Covid-19 infections that have already started to rise as expected in the colder season.
We appeal to the two city corporations to immediately start distributing blankets and warm clothes first to those who live on the streets. Here the wealthier sections of society must donate generously with cash or kind to reliable charitable organisations and groups who are engaged in distributing these items. Many can take their own initiative and do this on their own. As a society we cannot stay indifferent to the acute suffering of those who are less privileged especially during times of crisis. While we stay warm and well fed in our cosy homes let us play our part as conscious citizens to help those who are hungry and shivering on the streets of our cities.
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